Man who built his own grave passes away in Telangana, village remembers his message on life and death

Hyderabad: In a rare and thought-provoking incident, Nakka Indrayya (80) from Telangana, who had constructed his own grave while still alive, passed away on Sunday, January 11. Indrayya, a resident of Lakshmipuram village, had built his grave beside that of his wife, turning it into a symbol of his philosophy on life, death, and charity.

Next to the grave, Indrayya had placed a message board carrying a stark reminder of mortality: “Death is inevitable. No one takes wealth after death.” The inscription reflected his lifelong belief that material wealth holds little value beyond one’s lifetime and that generosity and service to others are what truly endure.

Villagers recall that visiting the grave site was part of Indrayya’s daily routine. He would regularly clean the area, water the plants, and spend time sitting quietly near the grave, contemplating life. What many initially found unusual gradually became a source of reflection and inspiration for the community.

Indrayya’s elder brother, Nakka Bhoomayya, said that his decision to build his own grave was consistent with the way he lived his life. “He had already planned everything. He built a church in the village and undertook several welfare activities. He distributed his earned wealth equally among his four children and even built houses for them during his lifetime,” Bhoomayya said.

Village resident Srinivas remembered Indrayya as a man who constantly reminded people that true wealth lies in giving. “He always said that no one carries money after death, but the charity one does remains with them forever,” he said.

Honouring his final wish, Indrayya’s last rites were performed at the very grave he had constructed years ago. A large number of villagers gathered to pay their respects, reflecting the impact he had on the community through his actions and beliefs.

In an earlier interaction with PTI, Indrayya had explained his reasoning candidly. “I have built four or five houses, a school, a church, and now my own grave. Building a grave while alive may hurt some people, but it gave me peace. I did not want my children to face difficulties after my death, so I took care of everything myself,” he had said.

His life and death have left behind a powerful message on humility, foresight, and selfless living.